Samwise NBA Newsletter
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Game 7 Tonight: Thunder and Spurs Battle for NBA Finals Spot
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs meet in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals Saturday at Paycom Center, tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock. The winner will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals starting June 3. The series has followed a striking pattern: Oklahoma City is 3–0 when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander outscores Victor Wembanyama, while San Antonio is 3–0 when Wembanyama prevails in the individual matchup. After the Thunder's 127–114 Game 5 win, the Spurs answered with a 118–91 rout in Game 6. A Thunder victory would make them the first team to reach back-to-back Finals since the Golden State Warriors' dynasty run.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Wembanyama Makes History in Game 6 Rout to Force Deciding Game 7
Victor Wembanyama delivered one of the most dominant performances of these playoffs, scoring 28 points and adding 10 rebounds in just 28 minutes as the San Antonio Spurs routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 118–91 on Thursday to force Game 7. Wembanyama scored 22 points in the first half alone, opening with back-to-back three-pointers before the Spurs held the Thunder scoreless for 7:27 during a 20–0 third-quarter run. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the two-time MVP, shot 6-of-18 for 15 points. At 22 years and 144 days old, Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds while facing elimination.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Jalen Williams Ruled Out for Game 7; Ajay Mitchell Also Out
Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams has been ruled out of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the team announced Friday. Williams aggravated a left hamstring sprain in Game 2 and missed three consecutive games before returning for just 10 minutes in the Thunder's 118–91 Game 6 loss. Oklahoma City cited injury management in the official injury report. Guard Ajay Mitchell, who suffered a soleus strain in Game 3, has also been ruled out. The two absences leave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a smaller supporting cast for Saturday night's winner-take-all game at Paycom Center.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Knicks Reach NBA Finals for First Time Since 1999 After Sweeping Cavaliers
The New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, awaiting the winner of Saturday night's Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. New York swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Jalen Brunson named series MVP after averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds in the 130–93 Game 4 clincher. The Knicks posted a plus-262 point differential over an 11-game span, the largest margin in NBA history across any 11-game stretch in 80 seasons. The Finals begin June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Mitchell Robinson Plans to Play in NBA Finals After Pinkie Surgery
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson underwent surgery on a broken right pinkie finger but plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, ESPN and Yahoo Sports reported. Robinson will wear a brace on his injured right hand. Reports noted the fracture did not occur in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland, though the exact timeline of the injury remains unclear. Robinson's availability is considered critical for New York given his interior role. The Knicks await the winner of Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, with the Finals beginning June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
76ers Hire Mike Gansey as President of Basketball Operations, Replacing Morey
The Philadelphia 76ers hired Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey as their new president of basketball operations Friday, replacing Daryl Morey, who was fired earlier this month after six seasons. Gansey, 43, joins the 76ers after rising through Cleveland's front office since 2011, becoming GM in 2022. He was chosen over internal candidate and 76ers GM Jameer Nelson following a search led by managing partner Josh Harris and HBSE president of sports Bob Myers. Gansey won G League Executive of the Year honors before rising to Cleveland's top basketball post. It is his first opportunity to run an NBA front office.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
38 Players Exit 2026 NBA Draft Pool After Withdrawal Deadline Passes
The NBA announced 38 early-entry players withdrew from the 2026 Draft following the May 27 deadline, finalizing a class widely viewed as deep and talented, with multiple prospects expected to be future stars. The class is led by AJ Dybantsa of BYU, Darryn Peterson of Kansas, Cameron Boozer of Duke, and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina, widely projected as the consensus top four picks, according to ESPN mock draft projections. International prospect Luigi Suigo and Washington's Bryson Tucker opted to remain in the draft. The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23–24 at Barclays Center in New York, broadcast on ESPN and ABC.
Sources: Sports Illustrated, ESPN
2026 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference
CONFERENCE FINALS
(3) Knicks def. (4) Cavaliers — 4–0 ✔
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
(3) Knicks def. (7) 76ers — 4–0
(4) Cavaliers def. (1) Pistons — 4–3
FIRST ROUND
(3) Knicks def. (6) Hawks — 4–2
(7) 76ers def. (2) Celtics — 4–3
(4) Cavaliers def. (5) ??? — 4–3
(1) Pistons def. (8) Magic — 4–3
Western Conference
CONFERENCE FINALS
(1) Thunder vs. (2) Spurs — TIED 3–3 🎾 Game 7 Tonight
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
(1) Thunder def. ??? — adv.
(2) Spurs def. (1) Timberwolves — 4–2
FIRST ROUND
(1) Thunder def. (8) Lakers — 4–0
(2) Spurs def. (7) Timberwolves — 4–2
★ NBA Finals begin June 3 on ABC — Knicks await WCF winner
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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